Telephone-call recorder.



' wl'imyefyses; q/WW 7 0% D. J. McGAURAN.

TELEPHONE CALL RECORDER.

APPLICATION man DEC.15, 1914.

mmmw; Patented @1213, 1915.

A F/WA" "A bi v THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHO WASHING TON. D.

DUNCAN JAMES IVIGGAURAN, 01E GERALDTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

TELEPHONE-CALL RECORDER.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Application filed December 15, 1914. Serial No. 877,348.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DUNCAN JAMES Md GAURAN, asubject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Brede street,Geraldton, in the State of Western Australia, Australia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Telephone- CallRecorders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to telephone call recorders and has been devisedin order to pro vide means for preventing the recording mechanism beingoperated, until the calling subscriber has been in circuit for apredetermined time; the object being to insure only effective callsbeing registered.

The invention may be used in conjunction with instruments of the classdescribed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 786220, 839933 and839994 wherein broadly stated a timing mechanism is employed andautomatically controlled by the exchange for throwing the call recordingmechanism out of action for a predetermined time when the exchange callsthe subscriber.

According to my present invention when the subscriber makes a call onthe exchange, his switching in to circuit releases a gear train set torun for a predetermined time at the expiration of which the call will bere corded if the calling subscriber is then in circuit. Should hehowever have returned his instrument to normal position before that timehas elapsed, no call will be recorded against him.

Broadly stated, and in a particular form the device consists of a timingmechanism T. M. (Fig. 1) which is controlled from the exchange by theelectromagnet Xa gear train G. T. which is controlled by the movement ofthe subscribers switch A; and the recording mechanism R. M. which isoperated by the movement of the gear train lever C.

The accompanying drawings-Figures 1,,

l and 2 are diagrams illustrating the invention, and the mode ofoperation is as follows (1) The calling subscriber, wishing to call theexchange, lifts the receiver R from the switch A (Fig. 1) which willthen rise to the circuit contacts (in a manner well known in the art)carrying with it the arm B whose bifurcated end B sits on lever G. LeverC will be thereby released, and under the tension of the spring S willmove over the arc Z. Z (indicated by studs) carrying with it the ratchetwheel W of the gear train G. T. with which it engages by the pawl pieceD, the rate of motion being governed by the gear train G. T. and fly F.The arm C of the lever G carries the pawl piece E, which is adapted toengage'with the ratchet wheel Z of the recording mechanism R. M. Thuswhen lever O attains the limit of its travel, the arm C and pawl piece Ewill have moved over an arc of the ratchet wheel Z and engaged the nexttooth. Hence at the expiration of the predetermined time-limit, as forinstance 30 seconds, the lever C will have arrived at Z turning wheel Wand the arm C with it and the pawl piece E will have engaged with thenext tooth on the ratchet wheel Z. At the close of the conversation thesubscriber will replace the receiver R on'the switch A and the arm Bwill then bear on the lever 0 back to the stud Z and pawl E will move Zand record a call. It is evident that should the subscriber havereceived the engaged or cannot raise signal from the exchange andreplaced his receiver R within the time limit the recording mechanismwill not have been operated.

(2) The called subscriber: When the exchange calls a subscriber thecalling ring energizes the electromagnet X which is inserted in thecalling circuit (in a manner well known in the art) and causes it toattract the armature J attached to spring controlled lever K, whichmoves about a pivot L. This attraction of the lever K causes the arm Mto disengage with the notched wheel N and release the timing mechanismT. M. It also moves the arm 0, to engagement with the fly F of the geartrain at the stud Q and holds it in such engagement, for thepredetermined period of time, as for instance, 30 seconds-when the nextnotch in the wheel N will have come into position, and M and K willresume their normal position. This movement ofthe arm 0 also causes thestud U to take up such a position in respect to the beveled stud U onlever T as shall permit the said stud to engage with the stud U, shouldthe called subscriber answer the call, during the running of the timingmechanism, in which event he will have removed his receiver R; hisswitch A and the arm B will rise as before described. The lever T beingthus freed at T will move on its pivot and its stud U will engage withstud U and hold the arm 9 so that the stud Q is held in engagement withthe fly F and prevents the running of the gear train and consequentrecording movement of lever C; The lever K and arm M will have resumedtheir normal positions at the expiration of the predetermined time, butthe stud Q will be kept in engagement with fiy F as described until theclose of the conversation when the replacing of receiver R on switch Acauses the arm B to bear on the end T of the lever T thereby releasingthe stud U from engagement with the stud U which permits the rm 0 toregain its normal position.

In Fig. 1 is shown a modification whereby the recording mechanism isoperated electrically instead of mechanically. The recording movement ofthe lever C, arm C and pawl piece E as before described, causes theratchet wheel Z to momentarily close the recording circuit at contactpoints 22 and 3. WVhen the circuit is thus closed the electromagnet 5will be energized by the current from battery 15, via the wire 9, thecontact points 3 and 22, wire 1 electromagnet 5 the wire 6. When soenergized the electromagnet 5 will attract the armature 10 attached tothe spring controlled armature lever 11 which carries the pawl piece 13adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel 14 of the recording mechanismR. M. which will thus be actuated.

The called subscriber :VVhen the eX- change calls the subscriber theoperation of the respective parts will be as described for Fig. 1. Theparticular object of this modification of my recorder is primarily toallow a subscriber who is using a telephone installed on an automaticexchange system a reasonable time to manipulate the calling apparatusand ascertain whether the line required is engaged or not. On such asystem the subscriber puts himself out of circuit the moment he replaceshis receiver on the hook switch and the selective device at the exchangeimmediately falls back to its normal position.

It is apparent that on a central energy or magneto system, a subscribermay prevent the operation of the recording mechanism by manipulating hisreceiver hook switch unless means are employed to prevent him doing so.To accomplish this an arrangement such for instance as that shown inFig.

, 2 may be incorporated with'the device for use on a magneto system.With this arrangement the switch A is normally locked by the segmentaltoothed rack piece 1 attached to it, engaging with the locking piece 2of the spring controlled armature lever 3.

A subscriber wishing to call the exchange operates his ringing apparatusthus energizing the electromagnet 4 which is inserted in the callingcircuit (in a manner well known in the art). When so energized theelectromagnet 4: attracts the armature 5 of armature lever 3, actuatingit to engagement with the pivoted arm 6, by the pin 7 on lever 3engaging with the indent 8. By this movement of lever 3 the lockingpiece 2 is disengaged from the rack piece 1 thereby unlocking the switchA which is then free to rise to the circuit contacts on the removal ofthe receiver. At the termination of its upward movement the switch Awill engage with arm 6 depressing the indent 8 from engagement with thepin 7, thereby releasing lever 3 which returns to engagement with therack piece at the locking piece 2. Should the subscriber now momentarilydepress his switch with the object of preventing the lever C of Fig. 1from attaining its full recording movement, the switch will be unable toagain rise to its circuit contacts, on account of being locked at 12.Hence the subscriber will be unable to converse and will have to ring upagain in order to unlock his switch.

The called subscriber :VVhen the exchange calls a subscriber the callingring energizes the electromagnet 4: and the switch is unlocked as setout.

Somewhat similar provisions may be incorporated with the device for useon a central energy system, but as any such manipulation by thesubscriber would manifest itself to the exchange oliicials by thealternate glowing and going out of the calling lamps, it is assumed tobe unnecessary to particularize for such a contingency.

I claim 1. In telephone call recorders, the combination with thesubscribers switch of a gear train controlled by the movement of saidswitch and adapted to run for a predeter mined time when subscriberswitches in, a recording mechanism operated through the medium of saidgear train after the said predetermined time has expired, and a timingmechanism operated by a call from the exchange for rendering inoperativethe record ing mechanisms.

2. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train a spring controlled lever for operating the same,said lever being released when said switch rises and a recordingmechanism operated also by said lever after it has reached its limit ofmovement, and a timing mechanism operated by a call from the exchangefor rendering inoperative the recording mechanisms.

3. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train a spring controlled lever arranged to operate itfor a predetermined time, an arm attached to said switch and normallyholding said lever in inoperative position, said lever being released bythe rising of said arm, stops governing the movements of the lever, anarm on said lever provided with a pawl engaging a ratchet wheel in thegear of the recording mechanism, and a timing mechanism operated by acall from the exchange for rendering inoperative the recordingmechanisms.

4. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train controlled by the movement of said switch andadapted to run for a predetermined time when said switch rises, arecording mechanism operated through the me dium of said gear trainafter the said predetermined time has expired, a timing mechanismoperated by the exchange, controlling means for stopping the gear train,and a lever operated by the telephone switch for releasing saidcontrolling means.

5. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train controlled by the movement of said switch andadapted to run for a predetermined time when said switch rises, arecording mechanism operated through the medium of said gear train afterthe said predetermined time has expired, an electromagnet in the callingcircuit, a timing mechanism adapted to be released for a predeterminedtime by said electromagnet, a wheel in said timing mechanism havingnotches at predetermined intervals, a lever attached to the armature ofsaid electromagnet adapted to engage with the notches in said wheel, anarm operated by said lever, a stud on said arm adapted to arrest thegear train another stud on said arm adapted to engage with a stud on alever controlled by said switch, and an arm connected with said switchadapted to bear upon said lever.

6. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train controlled by the movement of said switch andadapted to run for a predetermined time when said switch rises, arecording mechanism operated through the me dium of said gear trainafter the said predetermined time has expired, a timing mechanismoperated by a call from the exchange for rendering inoperative therecording mechanisms, means for locking said switch, and anelectromagnet in the calling circuit adapted to release said lockingmeans when subscriber or exchange calls.

7. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train controlled by the movement of said switch andadapted to run for a predetermined time when said'switch rises, arecording mechanism operated through the medium of said gear train afterthe said predetermined time has expired, a timing mechanism operated bya call from the exchange for rendering inoperative the recordingmechanisms, a

spring controlled armature lever, a toothed rack piece on said switch, alocking piece on said armature lever adapted to engage said rack piece,a pivoted arm above said switch formed with an indent adapted to beengaged by a pin on the lever, and an electromagnet in the callingcircuit adapted to control said armature lever.

8. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch of a gear train controlled by the movement of said switch andadapted to run for a predetermined time when said switch rises, acontact, an electrically operated recording mechanism controlled by saidcontact made at the limit of the forward movement of the gear train, anda timing mechanism operated by a call from the exchange for renderinginoperative the recording mechanisms.

9. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch, of an arm attached to said switch, a gear train, a springcontrolled lever adapted to be released by the rising of said arm, stopsgoverning the movements of said lever, an arm on said lever and a pawlon said arm, a ratchet wheel engaged by said pawl, an electricallycontrolled recording mechanism, a circuit including said mechanism, saidratchet wheel when moved closing said circuit, and a timing mechanismoperated by a call from the exchange for rendering the said recordingmechanism inoperative.

10. In telephone call recorders, the combination with the subscribersswitch, of an arm attached to said switch, a gear train controlled bysaid arm, a spring controlled lever adapted to be released by the risingof said arm to operate for a predetermined time said gear train, stopsgoverning the movements of said lever, an arm on said lever, a pawl onsaid arm, a ratchet wheel engaged by said pawl, an electromagnet, anelectric circuit including said electromagnct, a contact in saidcircuit, said ratchet wheel, when moved, adapted to close said contact,a call recording mechanism. a ratchet wheel therein, a spring-controlledarmature lever operated by said electromagnet, a pawl on said lever inengagement with said ratchet wheel, and a timing mechanism, operated bya call from exchange for rendering said recording mechanism inoperative.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

DUNCAN JAMES MGGAURAN.

Witnesses:

I-I. WILSON, W. D. MCCOY.

G'oples of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

